fair-trade

1 of 2

verb

fair-traded; fair-trading; fair-trades

transitive verb

: to market (a commodity) in compliance with the provisions of a fair-trade agreement
fair trader noun

fair trade

2 of 2

noun

1
: trade in conformity with a fair-trade agreement
2
: a movement whose goal is to help producers in developing countries to get a fair price for their products so as to reduce poverty, provide for the ethical treatment of workers and farmers, and promote environmentally sustainable practices

Examples of fair-trade in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Noun
Yet, in recent years, a panoply of competitors have dipped into Ferrero’s market share with products that are organic, palm-oil-free, vegan, fair trade, less sugary, or just more appealingly packaged than Nutella. Lauren Collins, New Yorker, 2 June 2025 The cafe mission of being a welcoming spot comes from the convivial atmosphere of a Parisian café, the fair trade coffee is their idea. Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 31 May 2025 Our president and his team also secured a historic trade deal with China that reduces tariffs and sets the American people on the path for truly free, fair trade. Daniel R. Depetris, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 May 2025 Ray Major, economist YES: The vessel levy is another tool in the tool box that the U.S. can use to encourage China and other countries to adopt a more fair trade policy. Phillip Molnar, Mercury News, 16 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for fair-trade

Word History

First Known Use

Verb

1947, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1914, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of fair-trade was in 1914

Browse Nearby Words

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Cite this Entry

“Fair-trade.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fair-trade. Accessed 8 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

fair trade

noun
1
: trade conforming to a fair trade agreement
2
: a movement that aims to help producers in developing countries get a fair price for their products so as to reduce poverty, provide for ethical treatment of workers and farmers, and promote environmentally sustainable practices
fair trade verb

Legal Definition

fair-trade

transitive verb
: to market (a commodity) in compliance with the provisions of a fair-trade agreement
fair trade noun
fair trader noun

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